A group of individuals who share a love of cycling and the outdoors. We will always stop for a photo, or to hit a rope swing… Rubber side up!

Where did Prolly is Not Probably go?

It is still here, and then some. PiNP was one person’s opinion and voice. Now we are a collective – a community of diverse opinions and rich stories.

What does the Radavist mean?

Rad + Atavist = RADAVIST

Why does a porpoise surf a wave, or a sea otter slide down a rock? Atavism is a primal trait in humans and animals that drives us to do what we do – what ought to come naturally. Atavism is why we ride the way we ride; From mashing the city on a track bike to shredding the trails on full suspension. Take the time to get rad.

David at Death Spray Custom has been busy preparing for the 2014 Tour de France. Many moons again, Cannondale commissioned him to paint a bike for each rider, adorned with their spirit animals, inspired by native American Haida style.

Death Spray customizes Team Cannondale’s bikes for the TDF with each rider’s “spirit animal” in the style of the Haida people. What do people think? Cultural inspiration or cultural appropriation?

I lean towards the later because the term “spirit animal” is so often misused, used out of context, and used in a “fun” and trendy hipster way. A totem, or totem animal seems to be the more correct terms anyways. Animal totems aren’t simply a symbol that you chose for fun–it is a symbol that is linked to one’s family and carries certain functions like acting as taboos. Also to my knowledge, the artist is not Haida or any type of Native American.

I’m curious if you feel this way just about this particular example or all instances of cultural appropriation and misuses of native american culture (the Redskins, non-native people wearing headdresses to music festivals, etc.)

I’ve read a great deal on it and understand what you’re saying, I just don’t particularly care to get on a soap box every time a company uses a Navajo print, or other “native” iconographies. We live in a world where precedents and influences reign supreme in product design and the way I see it, it’s more of an homage than a reappropriation.

The “Red Skins” thing is totally warranted though. I never understood how something blatantly racist could be accepted…

thnx for the response. I asked for peoples’ opinions because I do think it should be discussed. I don’t think these concerns should be dismissed but I also don’t think they should be unchallenged…they should be engaged with.

I’m a big fan of these; for me they tick a buncha boxes
a) they just look cool.
b) any time ‘art’ is involved in a bike and you get something different from the rest of the crowd– i’m a fan.
c)
pretty cool that they’ve drawn up something different for each rider,
yet designs and colours still say “team” and “cannondale”
d) i’m so
down with native american / first nations art ( especially ‘haida’ and
bill reid) so it’s cool to see it on the big scene.
e) Love DSC and custom paint / design shops
al